Hospital stress

Janis studied the relationship between the fear expressed by patients awaiting abdominal surgery and their post-operative recovery. Curiously, patients who showed little pre-op anxiety had poorer post-op adjustment than those who showed moderate levels of fear pre-operatively. Maybe the calm patients were failing to accurately predict the amount of discomfort they would experience after the operation. The patients who showed high levels of anxiety pre-op also fared poorly after the operation. Maybe they are like Weiss’ rats who showed adverse effects from making a large number of coping responses. Thus it is possible that the attempts we make to cope with stressful situations, together with the amount of control and information we have about dangerous situations can influence our bodies physiological response to stressors.
Here is a summary of Janis' results

Relationship between Preoperative Fear and Postoperative Adjustment
Postoperative Adjustment

Preoperative Fear

High Anticipatory Fear
Before Operation
Constantly worried about pain, try to postpone operation, unable to sleep, seek reassurance

After Operation
More likely than others to be anxious, stormy emotional outbursts, afraid of routine examinations


Medium Anticipatory Fear
Before Operation
Occasionally worried about specific features of the operation. Asks for realistic information. Remains outwardly calm.

After Operation
Least likely to show emotional disturbance


Low Anticipatory Fear
Before Operation
Constantly cheerful and optimistic, denies feeling anxious, sleeps well, reads, listens to radio and socialises.

After Operation
Displays anger and resentment to staff